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Chicago Ridge fire chief resigns
The Southtown Star recently published an article regarding the resignation of Chicago Ridge Fire Chief Robert Muszynski. According to the piece, Muszynski stepped down due to "personal differences" with the village's elected officials over proposed changes to the fire department. These changes reportedly involve exploring ways to make the service more efficient, such as potentially outsourcing ambulance services to a private company, joining a fire protection district, or stationing a second ambulance at the former firehouse located at 107th Street and Lombard Avenue. This location houses three older fire trucks that are mostly used for training by the village's volunteer firefighters.
Mayor Chuck Tokar explained that these discussions came about after the village board suggested reviewing how firefighting and ambulance services might be provided more cost-effectively. Muszynski's resignation followed pressure from the board, who ultimately demanded his departure through Tokar. The chief formally tendered his resignation earlier this week.
Chicago Ridge firefighter Christ Schmelzer, who serves as president of the local firefighters' union (Local 3098), expressed concerns among his colleagues. "There's a lot of tension in the firehouse right now," Schmelzer stated. "Nobody has reassured us that we're safe. Everyone is really worried about their future."
Muszynski, 58, previously worked for the Skokie and Schaumburg fire departments before being appointed chief in early 2011. Mayor Tokar acknowledged that while Muszynski performed well during his tenure, the village is determined to find ways to trim costs without compromising safety. For instance, Tokar mentioned that nearby towns like Alsip, Bridgeview, North Palos, and Oak Lawn frequently handle Chicago Ridge's ambulance calls. A second ambulance stationed locally could reduce expenses and better serve residents. However, staffing such a unit would require hiring up to eight additional firefighters, a move Tokar argued is financially unfeasible given the current budget constraints. Adding to the complexity, Tokar plans to consult further with efficiency experts to explore alternative solutions.
Currently, the fire department employs 12 firefighter/paramedics, down from 17 just a few years ago. Last year, the department responded to 2,424 service requests, of which 1,599 were for ambulances. While they managed 87% of these calls independently, outside agencies assisted when they were occupied with other emergencies. In response to these developments, Local 3098 emphasized in a recent letter that any potential merger should carefully consider all aspects to avoid negative consequences. Additionally, the village administration has hinted at significant shifts ahead, even suggesting the possibility of transitioning to part-time staffing models.
Contract negotiations between the village and the union are ongoing, known for their typically tense nature. Firefighters currently start at a salary of $45,000, though there has only been one new hire in the past decade. Due to low staffing levels, the department has relied heavily on overtime, which amounted to $45,000 over a six-week period. Village officials claim the highest base salaries, including overtime, exceed $100,000 annually.
Tokar remains committed to finding viable solutions, indicating plans to engage more specialists to address the challenges facing Chicago Ridge's fire department. As the community awaits clarity on these issues, uncertainty looms large among the dedicated professionals serving the area.